While it was permissible under Denver’s ethics code for Mayor Michael Hancock to to the Super Bowl for himself, his mother and two staffers, it points to how lenient the code is.
The city’s ethics code allows officials to accept up to four meals, tickets or free admission from the same donor every year — regardless of price.
Hancock’s trip was paid for by the Metro Denver Sports Commission. Later, it was disclosed that Comcast and CH2M Hill were among the entities that pledged money to cover the trip.
And critics have pointed out that both of those businesses have city contracts.
We are not calling for the city to have such ridiculous , which doesn’t pertain to Denver because it is a home-rule city.
Nor are we arguing the mayor was wrong to take the trip. One way or another, the mayor needed to be at the Super Bowl given the opportunities it provided to promote the city.
But when Denver’s household median income is $49,091, allowing city officials to accept gifts that nearly equal that amount can give the wrong impression.
More stringent limits should be considered for gifts Denver officials can receive, and especially from firms that do business with the city. The ethics code should be updated.
